Ewe Lambs.

Alfalfa accumulates phytoestrogens and when ingested binds the estrogen receptor and induces morphological changes similar to endogenous estrogens. The objective of this study is to evaluate morphological changes in uteri, vulva, and teats of ovariectomized prepubertal ewe lambs. Eighteen prepubertal ewe lambs were ovariectomized in November 2000 and fed nonestrogenic hay until May 2001. In May, ewes were fed bentgrass straw and cottonseed meal. On day 0 of a 12-day feed trial, ewes were assigned randomly to three treatments (n=6 in each treatment): Estradiol, Control, and Alfalfa. Estradiol treated ewes were fed bentgrass straw and cottonseed meal ad libitum, plus receiving a daily injection of 10 mg estradiol-17J3 suspended in corn oil. Control ewes were fed bentgrass straw and cottonseed meal ad libitum and received a daily injection of corn oil vehicle. Alfalfa ewes were fed alfalfa ad libitum and received a daily injection of corn oil vehicle. Three blinded observers assigned each ewe a subjective score ranging from 1 (no change) to 4 (significant change) for vulva and teat morphology on Redacted for Privac